How to Do Sisterlocks

Sisterlocks is a hair-locking method that should be done by a certified Sisterlocks consultant to ensure that it's done correctly. It's a hairstyle that is a commitment: It is expensive and takes hours to do and several months to mature. The locks are thin in comparison to traditional dreadlocks, so they allow you to style your locks in many different hairstyles, including into curls. Sisterlocks offer great flexibility---your hair can grow to great lengths when cared for correctly.

Things You'll Need

• 1-1/2 inches of new-growth hair

Instructions

1. Research this hairstyle thoroughly. Visit http://www.Sisterlocks.com to conduct research on the hair style, as well as to view pictures of people who have Sisterlocks. If you're able to, speak to a woman who already has Sisterlocks to learn about her experience and to find out what she likes and dislikes about the hairstyle.

2. Find a certified Sisterlocks technician. If you see someone advertising their services as a certified Sisterlocks consultant, you can check the Sisterlocks registry (http://www.sisterlocks.com/Web_Registries/Certified_Consultants.html) to confirm that he's legitimate. It's important to have someone who is knowledgeable and trained in the correct method so that the hair locks correctly, doesn't mat and doesn't unravel.

3. Go for a consultation. The consultation is an important step, because the Sisterlocks consultant will assess your hair type and inform you about the best way to care for your hair once your Sisterlocks are complete. The consultant will put sample locks in your hair so that when you come back for your locking session, she'll be able to determine your locking patterns and choose the correct-size lock for your hair type. During the consultation, you can ask questions and obtain a price for this service.

4. Attend a locking session. This is when you'll have you hair locked into Sisterlocks. If you had a previous relaxer, it doesn't have to be cut off. Your hair can begin with Sisterlocks with as little as 1-1/2 inches of new growth (natural hair). The consultant will pull your hair into tight lock formations using less hair than what's used with traditional dreadlocks. The process can take up to two days (or up to 25 hours) to complete. When most people are done, they have more than 450 locks in their hair.

5. Retighten you hair after the second or third shampoo (this session should be part of the initial price). After this, your hair should be retightened one a month or once every six weeks. It usually takes about six months for the hair to mature. Until that time, consultants recommend to continue to see them to get your hair retightened. After your hair has matured (at about the six-month mark), then you can take a retightening class so that you can learn to retighten your hair yourself to save money.

References

• Official Sisterlocks Website

Resources

• Sisterlocks Info
• Sisterlocks Frequently Asked Questions